Consciousness, Sleep, and Psychoactive Substances

Consciousness

Our awareness of ourselves and our environment.

Subjective Consciousness

Consciousness is a subjective and private experience.

Alertness Fluctuations

Consciousness changes throughout the day with varying levels of alertness.

NREM Stage 1 Sleep

Light sleep characterized by hypnagogic hallucinations.

NREM Stage 2 Sleep

Stage characterized by sleep spindles and K-complexes.

NREM Stage 3 Sleep

Slow-wave sleep dominated by delta waves.

REM Sleep

Stage featuring rapid eye movements, vivid dreaming, and muscle paralysis.

Circadian Rhythm

A 24-hour biological clock regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN).

Circadian Rhythm Influences

Regulated by light exposure and melatonin.

Freud's Dream Theory

Wish-fulfillment theory of dreaming.

Activation-Synthesis Theory

The brain making sense of random neural activity during sleep.

Information Processing Theory

Dreaming theory centered on memory consolidation.

Insomnia

Difficulty falling or staying asleep.

Sleep Apnea

Breathing interruptions during sleep.

Narcolepsy

Sudden sleep attacks.

Parasomnias

Sleep terrors, sleepwalking, and REM behavior disorder.

Restless Leg Syndrome

A sleep disorder causing uncomfortable leg sensations and an urge to move.

Hypnosis Characteristics

Heightened suggestibility, focused attention, and reduced peripheral awareness.

Hypnotic Susceptibility

Individual differences in how easily a person can be hypnotized.

Hypnosis Applications

Pain management, behavior modification, and controversial memory recovery.

Hypnosis Theories

State vs. non-state debate and the role of dissociation.

Depressants

Alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines; slow CNS activity and reduce anxiety.

Stimulants

Caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines, cocaine; increase alertness and heart rate.

Hallucinogens

LSD, psilocybin, mescaline; cause perceptual distortions and synesthesia.

Opioids

Morphine, heroin, prescription painkillers; provide pain relief and euphoria.

Substance Dependence

Physiological adaptation requiring a substance to function normally.

Substance Tolerance

Diminished effect with repeated substance use.

Substance Withdrawal

Negative symptoms when substance use stops.

Substance Use Disorder Impact

Personal, social, and health consequences.